Warship Commands listed for Harry Allan Barnard, USN

Career information

On 3 Oct 1944 the American destroyer escort USS Richard M. Rowell (DE 403), commanded by Harry Allan Barnard, USN, was most likely responsible for the sinking of USS Seawolf (SS-197) in a friendly fire incident in the Morotai area. Rowell was censured by the US navy for the incident but apparently recovered his military status (he was CO of the destroyer Sigsbee for a time in 1945). Books on the US submarine war written shortly after the war did not disclose his name due to the sensitivity of the Seawolf disaster.

Events related to this officer

3 Oct 1944According to the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, this vessel was most likely responsible for the sinking of USS Seawolf (SS-197) in a friendly fire incident in the Morotai area. (1)